Premiership Bulldogs defender Zaine Cordy is expected to be announced as St Kilda's first signing of the off-season, with the unrestricted free agent moving across Melbourne to join the Saints on a three-year deal.
Reports of St Kilda's interest came on the same day former Bulldog and Blue Liam Jones returned to the Kennel through free agency, with his arrival set to substantially bolster Luke Beveridge's backline.
Jones' switch back to the blue, white and red was also set to impact Cordy's place in the selection pecking order, with teammates Alex Keath and Ryan Gardner seemingly already ahead of him prior to the signing of Jones.
The situation, coupled with Cordy's expiring contract, had piqued the interest of St Kilda as they look to add to their own defensive stocks for 2023, now swooping on the 25-year-old.
According toย AFL.com.au'sย Cal Twomey, Cordy has turned down a two-year offer from the Bulldogs, instead now on the verge of inking a three-year contract with the Saints.
Cordy will join a defensive unit at Moorabbin that has lacked needed height in defence, with Dougal Howard doing most of the heavy lifting under Brett Ratten.
Both Josh Battle and Cal Wilkie enjoyed career-best campaigns in 2022, but the imminent arrival of Cordy is set to alleviate the pair's workload, along with Howard.
Cordy brings with him premiership experience, having played in the Bulldogs' 2016 grand final win over Sydney, however the 193cm-tall talent was predominantly utilised as a forward at the time.
A switch to defence has kept Cordy on course for a longer career, which will now extend beyond his 118 AFL games.
The Geelong Falcons product was drafted to the Bulldogs as a father-son selection in 2014, following in the footsteps of his father, Brian, in playing for the Dogs.
